Proposed water, sewer rates rapped

Manchester Councilman John A. Riley, who oversees the town's water and sewer systems, told the Town Council last night he is unhappy with water and sewer rates proposed by the ad-hoc committee on water and sewers.

"I think that the proposed rates for water are certainly too high," Mr. Riley said.

He also said the proposed sewer rate may be too low.

"There has to be more work done" on the rate structure, Mr. Riley said. He said he wants to see the results of an audit report being done now before he makes rate recommendations to the council.

Mayor Earl A.J. "Tim" Warehime Jr., who had asked Mr. Riley to suggest a new rate structure by the end of July, said rates must be approved before the October utility bills are mailed. He told Mr. Riley the rates must be approved by the council in September.

Also last night, the council introduced a new version of an ordinance that had been vetoed by Mr. Warehime in July. The proposed ordinance would raise water and sewer connection fees, but allow an extended payment plan.

At its July 13 meeting, the council adopted an ordinance that would raise the connection fee for homes that hook up to the town water system from $1,500 to $1,750. That ordinance also would raise the connection fee for the Manchester sewer system from $1,500 to $1,750.

Mayor Warehime vetoed the ordinance because, he said, it contained no mechanism for extending payment of the fees over several years.

Several council members said in July that the council could use its charter powers to set up an installment plan. But Town Manager Terry L. Short said last night that the town's attorney said the charter powers could not be used in dealing with connection fees.